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The Nursery Training Consortium (NTC)

Local nurseries grow well trained workers

CWT was approached by representatives of Washington County’s agricultural nurseries in 1996 to help create a nursery training consortium (NTC) to design and deliver customized training for the industry’s Hispanic frontline workers. CLIMB helped convene the NTC and, over the next seven years, designed and delivered workplace-based training in more than 12 subjects including eight levels of Nursery English as a Second Language (ESL) training, Agricultural Supervisory Training (in English & Spanish), Nursery Math (ESL), and the Business of Operating a Nursery (ESL).

Overall, CLIMB trained more than 600 employees. Some companies have made the Agricultural Supervisory Training course a prerequisite for promotion to supervisory positions, several attendees have received promotions, and 46 Hispanic supervisors have become internal trainers.